—🏹—

Well this is great, just lovely. I'm lost in the woods, a child I'm supposed to be watching is gone, the scent of the others is kaput.

Now I'm practically walking in circles trying to navigate back to the others but no luck.

I managed to find Sophia's footprints and follow them. I clawed a few trees to let Daryl know where I was—Thank the lord for muddy ground, it was perfect to find tracks when it dries out.

Dusk came in quite faster than I expected. I took shelter inside an abandoned or unoccupied den small enough for a fox, I quickly fell asleep.

◤──•❉🏹❉•──◥

Third person pov

Hours earlier

"Sure this is the spot?" Daryl asked. Him, Rick, Shane and Glenn investigate the spot where Sophia and Nyla were.

"I left her right here. " Rick replies. "I drew the walkers way off in that direction up the creek."

"Without a paddle—seems where we've landed." Daryl says.

"She was gone by the time I got back here—I figured she just took off and ran back to the group. I told her to go that way and keep the sun on her left shoulder." Rick explains.

Daryl looks up at Glenn who's stepping on the footprints, "Hey! Short round! Why don' you step off to one side? You're muckin' up the trail. " He tells him. Glenn took a step back.

"Assuming she knows her left from her right. " Shane spoke up.

"Shane, she understood me fine." Rick said.

"Kid's tired and scared, man. She had her a close call with two walkers. Got to wonder how much of what you said stuck." Shane responds.

Daryl made his way towards the small ravine where there's both footprints between Nyla and Sophia, "Got clear prints right 'ere. She did like you said, headed back to the highway. Let's spread out, make our way back. " He said while climbing back up with both Rick and Shane following him.

Glenn notices the claw marks on the tree, "There's some claw marks on this tree." He announced.

Daryl looks on and touches the claw marks, "Must've been an hour ago." He said. "She does this thing where she'll get lost, she will scratch up some trees — It's 'er way of tellin' me that she's been 'ere."

"You think she'll make her way back?" Glenn asks the archer.

Daryl nods, "Sure. She's a clever girl." He then examines Sophia's footprints. " She was doing just fine till right here." He then saw the footprints veer off tracks. "All she had to do was keep going. She veered off that way. " He points in the other direction.

Glenn then asks, "Why would she do that?"

"Maybe she saw something that spooked her, made her run off. " Shane responds.

"A walker?" Glenn asks.

"I don't see any other footprints. Just 'ers and Nyla." Daryl replies.

"So what do we do? All of us press on? " Shane went on to ask.

"No, better if you and Glenn get back up to the highway." Rick replies. "People are gonna start panicking—Let them know we're on her trail doing everything we can. But most of all, keep everybody calm. "

"I'll keep 'em busy scavenging cars. Think up a few other chores. I'll keep 'em occupied." Shane explains. He turns to look at Glenn, "Come on."

Him and Glenn went back to camp while Rick and Daryl stayed behind to continue to investigate for any more signs of Sophia or Nyla.

◤──•❉🏹❉•──◥

Nyla's pov

The next day

The next morning I decided to go out hunting for anything that can sustain me for a while until I head back to camp, I manage to track down a rabbit, and a big one too.

I bent down behind a bush as I examined my prey who's currently feasting on some grass, soon enough I strike.

I chased the rabbit down towards a rushing river, I managed to grab the rabbit before it could get across the river. "You almost got caught in the river, bud." I told the small creature, my voice muffled by its fur. My ears perk up at the sound of rushing water.

And lo and behold, here comes a wave of sorts.

I was pushed back by the sudden force that made me drop the rabbit, "Shit!" I exclaim as I am being dragged by the water — Sometimes even drag under the water. I tried to breathe in some air but every movement was laborious, I can feel my body growing tired.

Seems like luck was on my side when I reached a calming river, I managed to use the last of my energy to swim up to shore — I ease my breathing to try to calm my rapid breathing heart.

"Well that's one way to get clean." I snarl at the unknown voice. My eyes landed on a white German Shepherd.

"Whoa easy there." He tells me. "I'm not here to hurt you. Are you lost?"

"None of your concern." I panted out. "Now if you'll excuse me." I shakily took a few steps forward but only fell on my side."Miss, I don't mean to..intrude..but you might need to rest."

"I know damn well. Thank you." I roll onto my belly. I then look back up to him, "Who are you?"

"My owners call me Snowy. You can do the same." Typical name. "What's your name?"

I pause before eventually saying, "Nyla."

"That's a beautiful name." He comments.

"Thanks."

"Did your owner name you that?" He went on to ask.

I let out a laugh. "No." I replied. "He's kinda dull as rusted iron, I had that name since I was a pup. Before I even met him but it's like a faded memory."

"Oh. I see." He mutters. "Well, are you hungry?"

Like clockwork, my stomach started to grumble. "I guess that's a yes."

"Well come with me then. My owners own a farm." He turned around and started to trot off but then stopped. "Are you coming?" Is he serious?

"How do I know that you aren't taking me somewhere where they'll have canines for breakfast?" I questioned him.

He chuckles, "Well then I would be dead already."

Well I could go for a bite.

"Alright, but if you lie. You'll be food for the walkers." I told him.

He chuckles, "Alrightry."

So I follow the strange Shepherd towards his farm.

A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates, I was busy with college and Baldur's Gate 3 took over my free time.
So accept this as my apologies.